Leader Publications

Former Dowagiac resident Shirley C. LeStrange, 80, of Fort Wayne, Ind., passed away at 5:05 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009.

She was born on June 18, 1929, in Niles, to Charles and Vera Curtis.

She attended Niles Public Schools and graduated in 1949.

She was united in marriage to Raymond J. LeStrange on Feb. 3, 1951.

She was employed by Standard Federal Bank in Dowagiac from 1959-1988.

She will be dearly missed and is survived by her children: Peter (Tonya) LeStrange of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Susan Gall of South Bend, Ind.; Steven (Catherine) LeStrange of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Mary (Mike) Crocker of Jackson.

She is also survived by her four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren as well as a sister, Donna Ferrera of Hazlet, N.J.

She moved in 2004 from Dowagiac to Indiana, where she resided until the time of her death.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac since 1961 and a member of the Ossian United Methodist Church since 2005.

She was a life member of Dowagiac Chapter 263, Order of Eastern Star.

Her family will gather with friends on Wednesday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, where her memorial service will be held at 2:30 Wednesday led by Pastor John Kasper of Dowagiac First United Methodist Church.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Memorials in memory of Shirley may be directed to Family Hospice and Palliative Care, 265 W. Water St., Berne, Ind. 46711.